ST MARY'S YOUTH THEATRE: Sponsored Sail

Friday, 1 June 2012

Sponsored Sail

3rd June 2012 Sponsored Sail for St Mary’s youth Theatre Underway Today Robin Yates (Managing Director of Artemis Communications Ltd.) sailed from Troon Yacht haven on a voyage in support of a local charity: The St Mary’s Youth Theatre. This is Robin’s first major journey at sea having only previously had crew experience in the Solent over 20 years ago. In a classic Auxiliary Yacht built in the early 1960’s, Robin will sail to Gibraltar Point on the East Coast of England. Supported on the first leg of his journey by his 13 year old daughter Leila he will cruise up the Firth of Clyde to the Crinan Canal where a short passage will take him to Loch Crinan and the Sound of Dura beyond. The voyage will take him through the potentially dangerous tidal gates of Dorus Mor and Cuan Sound into the Firth of Lorn and Loch Linnhe where the Caledonian Canal will be used to traverse Scotland to Inverness. From here, Robin hopes to enter the North Sea and pass down the East Coast of Scotland and England single handed before finally mooring at Wainfleet Haven in the nature reserve at Gibraltar Point. With no on board computers except for a hand held GPS for emergencies, Robin will navigate using traditional methods using, whenever possible, natural anchorages rather than harbours or marinas. Please visit the sponsored sail website (http://www.sail4smyt.org.uk/) for updates, information and other news. Make a donation at: https://localgiving.com/charity/stmarysyouththeatre Contact Robin Yates robin.yates@artemiscom.co.uk www.artemis-meeting.co.uk Artemis Business Centre, The Old Great North Road, Ferrybridge, West Yorkshire, WF11 8PG. T: 01977 679044 Steve Archdale steve.archdale@btinternet.com http://stmarysyouththeatre.blogspot.com/ https://localgiving.com/charity/stmarysyouththeatre St Mary's Youth Theatre, 7 James Close, Garforth, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS25 2NS. T: 07889 440 516

WHO ARE WE

St. Mary's Youth Theatre was formed in August 1993 by Steve Archdale who was concerned about the increasing problems of alcohol and drug abuse in the teenage community of Garforth. With so little for the youngsters to do, especially in the field of theatre arts and drama, the idea of creating a youth theatre seemed appropriate.

A cast of 60+ with ages ranging from 8 to 22 auditioned for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, all were successful, no one was turned away. The show was rehearsed and performed in 8 weeks to thunderous acclaim in a church hall converted into a Pharaoh's tomb by a local artist. The following week they returned eager to find out what they were doing next. What began as a one-off production became the start of many shows to come.

A disastrous fire in 1995 wrecked their headquarters, destroying costumes, props and sets. This could easily have been the end of SMYT but as a result they have pulled together and grown stronger gradually replacing their losses. As members of the Leeds Civic Arts Guild they perform at the new, Leeds Carriageworks theatre which is in the Millenium Square, mainly musicals (i.e., Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Fame, Children of Eden, etc.). The National Theatre Connections scheme gives the group the chance to perform new plays written by the very best writers. In 2002 they were fortunate to perform at the Royal National Theatre itself…what an experience! Their latest productions include Little Shop of Horrors, Honk, 17, Feather Boy,The Musicians,We Will Rock You, Rent, Our House, Les Miserables, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, The Passion, Our Cousin Flo, Scrooge, Peter Pan, Whistle Down The Wind and Annie.

SMYT are now based, rehearse and perform at Green Lane Academy and St Mary's Church, Garforth, Leeds and charge a yearly subscription fee of £40.